Oakland Raiders: Latavius Murray Shows His Importance in Backfield
What exactly did the Oakland Raiders’ Week 7 matchup reveal about running back Latavius Murray‘s importance to the offense?
What does averaging 3.2 yards per carry on 18 rush attempts and 59 yards mean to you? Some may chuckle and think about the ineffective running backs in the league. However, when you add two touchdowns and three first down runs, a clearer picture comes to mind. Oakland Raiders running back Latavius Murray logged those unimpressive rushing numbers.
On the surface, you’re not going to crown Murray as the best running back on the Raiders’ roster. Coming into Sunday’s contest against the Jacksonville Jaguars, he ranked third in total yards among the trio in the backfield. After Week 7, he’s still third in yards per carry among the group. Is Murray replaceable? That’s what his critics often say about his contributions.
At times, the skeptics take their assessments one step further and call for the coaching staff to bench him for one of the rookie ball-carriers. For those watching box scores and still grading him on the same scale as Adrian Peterson, you may believe it’s time for the Raiders to replace him as the featured back.
However, if you examine his carry-to-carry impact on the offense, you’d understand he’s the engine that keeps the Raiders offense rolling. Let’s start with his most obscure contribution.
November 20, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) celebrates after running back Latavius Murray (28) scored a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first quarter at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Pass Protection
A running back’s job doesn’t begin and end with carrying and catching the football. On obvious passing downs, the featured tailback should be able to protect his quarterback, which entails chipping on defenders and stonewalling pass-rushers.
For those clamoring for DeAndre Washington to take over as the starter, Pro Football Focus ranks him as the worst pass blocker among the three backs. Murray lists as the best in that area—not the greatest, but he’s not going to allow his quarterback to be crushed in the backfield.
Here’s a pattern to consider:
Sure, tight end Lee Smith factors into the pass protection as well. He played in the first four games. But, the San Diego Chargers average pass rush and the Kansas City Chiefs anemic pass rush dragged Carr to the ground five times. On Sunday against the Jaguars, the Raiders signal-caller escaped with a clean jersey despite his offensive line not playing at its best.
Murray isn’t another offensive lineman, but he’s a decent pass protector when he stays in the backfield. He’s a significant upgrade over the two rookie running backs behind him on the depth chart. Without Murray, Carr would have to do a little more on-field coaching with the rookies to point out disguised coverages and blitzers.
First Downs and Extending Drives
When looking at his 18 carries for 59 yards, you’d shrug your shoulders and move on. Murray’s Week 7 box score stats don’t look appealing. However, he’s important in extending drives, which keeps the defense fresh on the sideline. As a ball-carrier, who runs well between the tackles, his three- or four-yard runs move the chains for much-needed first downs in short-yardage situations.
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You’re probably thinking, fullback Jamize Olawale could do the same. Yes and no. As a fullback with more weight, he’s good for a low volume count—fewer than five rush attempts. Murray can push the pile throughout the entire game with 12-15 carries.
Olawale can occasionally rip off a long run, but he immediately gallops off the field following the breakout carry. In fact, the fullback has only logged more than five rush attempts in a game twice in his career (six carries for 13 yards and six carries for 22 yards). He doesn’t have the stamina to sustain runs that will move the chains over the course of 60 minutes.
On Sunday against Jacksonville, the Raiders encountered fewer three-and-out series. The ability to hand off the football alleviated pressure off Carr’s arm. He didn’t have to throw nearly 50 times to move the ball.
Dec 24, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders running back Latavius Murray (28) scores a touchdown against the San Diego Chargers during the first quarter at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Valuable Near the End Zone
Now, let’s talk about Murray the finisher. Early in his career, fans often pegged him as lightning in the bottle. He burst onto the scene against the Chiefs in 2014 when he ran for 112 yards on four carries. His home-run carries are an additional asset in his arsenal as a ball-carrier.
At 6-3, 225 pounds, he tends to take his carries between the guards and the center. With a higher pad level and a tall stature, it’s best to go north-south as opposed to east-west on the handoffs. Let’s put this into perspective. Murray’s weight compares to weak-side linebacker Malcolm Smith (6-0, 226 lbs), but he stands three inches taller.
As a running back, who’s not compact and carries the size of a weak-side linebacker, Murray’s value increases in goal-to-go situations.
On Sunday, Murray scored two of the team’s three touchdowns on handoffs inside the 10-yard line. Despite critics about his vision, one handoff came from nine yards out, which isn’t a walk-in touchdown when facing a goal-line defensive package.
Murray possesses the ability to outrun defenders and finish drives in goal-line situations. For the season, he’s logged five rushing touchdowns. Washington and Richard combined have one rushing score.
Neither rookie running back has the nose for the end zone at this stage in their careers. So, yes it’s premature to insist Murray move to the back of the running back depth chart when he’s worth so much to the scoring offense, pass protection schemes and extending drives to keep an inconsistent defense off the field for longer periods.
Of course, fans wanted to see what the rookies can do with an expanded workload, but let’s not forget what Murray brings to this trio at running back.